Fast facts

Current weather in Nairobi

Cloudy 70 ^oF
Humidity: 64%
Wind: NE at 12 mph

Geography
Area: 580,367 sq. km. (224,080 sq mi.); slightly smaller than Texas.

Cities: Capital--Nairobi (pop. 2.9 million; 2007 est.). Other cities--Mombasa , Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret

Terrain: Kenya rises from a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean in a series of mountain ridges and plateaus which stand above 3,000 meters (9,000 ft.) in the center of the country. The Rift Valley bisects the country above Nairobi, opening up to a broad arid plain in the north. Highlands cover the south before descending to the shores of Lake Victoria in the west.

Climate: Tropical in south, west, and central regions; arid and semi-arid in the north and the northeast.

People
Nationality: Kenyan(s).

Population (July 2009 est.): 39 million.

Major ethnic groups: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%.

Religions: Christian 80%, Muslim 10%, traditional African religions 9%, Hindu/Sikh/Baha'i/Jewish 1%.

Languages: English (official), Swahili (national), over 40 other languages from the Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic linguistic groups.

Education: Adult literacy rate--74%.

Health: Life expectancy--55.3 years

Kenya has a very diverse population that includes three of Africa's major sociolinguistic groups: Bantu (67%), Nilotic (30%), and Cushitic (3%). Kenyans are deeply religious. About 80% of Kenyans are Christian, 10% Muslim, and 10% follow traditional African religions or other faiths. Most city residents retain links with their rural, extended families and leave the city periodically to help work on the family farm. About 75% of the work force is engaged in agriculture, mainly as subsistence farmers. The national motto of Kenya is Harambee, meaning "pull together."

Government
Type: Republic.

Independence: December 12, 1963.

Economy
GDP (2009 est.): $30.2 billion.

Annual growth rate (2009 est.): 1.7%.

Gross national income per capita (2008): $770 (Atlas Method).

Natural resources: Wildlife, soda ash, land.

Agriculture: Products--tea, coffee, sugarcane, horticultural products, corn, wheat, rice, sisal, pineapples

Currency

The official currency is the Kenya Shilling.

Before departure, travelers are advised to convert any excess Kenya shillings into foreign currency at a bank or bureau de change before departure. Departure taxes can be paid in local or foreign currency.

Time, Public Holidays and Business Hours
Kenya has a single time zone-, which is GMT+3.

Most businesses in Kenya are open from Monday to Friday, though some also trade on Saturday.

Business hours are generally 9:00am to 5:00pm, closing for an hour over lunch (1:00pm – 2:00pm).

Banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Some branches open on Saturdays from 9:00am to 11:00am.

Many banks are now equipped with 24 hour ATM machines.


Telecommunications
When calling Kenya, the International code is 254+ local area code.

Internet
Kenya has good Internet Service Providers.
Email and Internet services are offered by many hotels and lodges. In most towns, there are plenty of private business centers and cyber cafes offering email and internet access.

Electricity
The electricity supply in Kenya is 220/240 v 50hz.
Plugs are 3 point square.

If you are planning to bring a video camera charger or any other electrical advice, please bring voltage and plug adapters where appropriate.

Places of interest/attractions

Mombassa

The warm currents off the shores of Kenya make the waters ideal for swimming and diving. Many luxury resorts have sprung up along the beaches of Kenya, chiefly in Mombassa, where you can enjoy water sports by the day and a dazzling nightlife after sunset. Fort Jesus is an interesting place to spend a day exploring the gun turrets, battlements and houses within the walls. There is an excellent Museum, and trained guides available. Today the majestic Fort Jesus is a National Monument standing high over the Mombassa harbor

Lamu- Lamu

Lamu is a place like no other, a peaceful tropical island where life is lived at its own relaxed rhythm, but a place whose history is as mysterious and fascinating as the winding streets of its medieval stone town. The island itself is a beautiful place of rolling dunes and endless beaches, where tiny villages nestle among coconut and mango plantations and lateen-sailed dhows ply the waters. But Lamu’s real attraction is its Old Town.

Masai Mara

The annual Wildebeest Migration at the Masai Mara is a natural cycle that replenishes and renews the grasslands of East Africa. Each June, around 1.3 million Wildebeest gather in the Serengeti to calve. They slowly mass into a huge single herd, until the dry season withers their supply of fresh grass. The scent of rain to the North begins to draw the herd throughout July, and soon the planet’s greatest animal migration is underway. This is one of the remarkable wildlife attractions that make's Kenya one of the best wildlife destinations in the world. Kenya’s most popular attraction, the Mara was awarded its title for its sheer volume and variety of game.

Gedi Ruins

Gedi is one of Kenya's great unknown treasures, a wonderful lost city lying in the depths of the great Arabuko Sokoke forest. It is also a place of great mystery, an archaeological puzzle that continues to engender debate among historians. To this day, despite extensive research and exploration, nobody is really sure what happened to the town of Gedi and its peoples. This once great civilization was a powerful and complex Swahili settlement with a population of over 2500, built during the 13th century. The ruins of Gedi include many houses, mansions, mosques and elaborate tombs and cemeteries.

Nairobi National Museum

The recently renovated Nairobi National Museum is a good place to learn more about Kenya's history and culture. The construction of the present Museum Hill site began in 1929 after the government set aside the land for it.

Karen Blixen House:

For anyone with an interest in Karen Blixen's book, Out of Africa, or the subsequent film, this museum is a must see. The author lived on a coffee estate in a house known as Bogani from 1914 until 1931. This area has now developed into the modern suburb of Karen on the outskirts of Nairobi. The house is now a National Museum and is maintained for visitors in its original condition. Those who have read the book, or seen the film (which was filmed on location here) will recognize the house with its sprawling tropical garden and views of the nearby Ngong Hills. Efforts have been made to decorate all of the rooms of the house in their original style.

Popular Activities

The Safari was born in Kenya and is the most popular thing to do for visiting tourists. There are all types of programs available from budget tented safaris to 5-star luxury packages. Incorporating the Great Migration into your safari is a once in a lifetime highlight!

Nature- Kenya has an abundance of world famous National Parks including Samburu, Tsavo East, and Aberdares to name a few that can be visited as part of a safari package which includes visits to multiple parks and reserves throughout the country. Seeing Africa’s big game and cats in their natural environment is one of the remarkable experiences one can have.

Participate in Watersports, scuba diving and kite surfing along the Indian Ocean coast and on the island of Mombassa.

Cultural visits to traditional Masai and Samburu villages.

Stand on the Equator with one foot in each hemisphere at various marked locations throughout the country.

Climb Mt Kenya – Africa’s second highest mountain. The mountain is an awe-inspiring sight. Its ragged series of peaks are crowned with snow, and its slopes are thick with forest. The mountain is best seen at dawn, when the day’s early light silhouettes its impressive summit high over the surrounding plains. While the 5199-meter summit is a difficult technical climb, the lesser peak of Point Lenana (4985m) can be easily reached by any fit trekker. This trek takes between 3 and 5 days, through a fascinating world of forests, wildlife, and unique mountain vegetation.

Visit Lake Nakuru. This area provides the visitor with one of Kenya’s best-known images. Thousands upon thousands of flamingo, joined into a massive flock, fringe the shores of this soda lake. A pulsing pink swathe of life that carpets the water, the flamingoes are a breathtaking sight. Nakuru can be worked into many different Safari packages.

Stroll the streets of Lamu’s famous quaint Old Town.

Put yourself on the set of “Out of Africa” movie with a visit to the Karen Blixen house near Nairobi.

Travel programs

There are a large variety of custom programs available upon request that can incorporate any combination of the country’s main parks, attractions, and popular activities. Photo Safaris from 5-15 days can be arranged. Contact us to get started!

Our popular 12-day Kenya Explorer Safari: starting from $2795 per person:

Kenya Safari detailed Itinerary can be booked anytime of year, best time to travel is during July-September for the "great migration"

Itinerary at a glance:

Day 1: Nairobi - Jacaranda Hotel

Day 2: Amboseli - Amboseli Serena Lodge

Day 3: Amboseli - Amboseli Serena Lodge

Day 4: Mount Kenya - Mountain Lodge

Day 5: Samburu - Samburu Simba Lodge

Day 6: Samburu - Samburu Simba Lodge

Day: 7: Nakuru  - Sarova Lion Hill Lodge

Day: 8: Masai Mara - Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

Day: 9: Masai Mara - Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

Day 10: Nairobi - Evening flight home

Day 11: Arrive in USA

Quotation includes:

1. Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary.

2. Transportation in a chauffeur driven minivan with pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography.

3. Services of an English-speaking driver-guide, game viewing drives and all national parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.

4. All Government taxes and levies.

5. Mineral water during all game drives in the safari vehicle.

6. All meet and greet services.

7. All arrival and departure transfers.

8. 24-hour stand-by contact number.

9. Meals as indicated in the itinerary. Including special farewell dinner at Carnivore

10. Guaranteed window seat in each vehicle (up to 7 passengers per vehicle).

11. Two-way long-range high frequency radio communication in each vehicle.

12. Onboard safari accessories in each vehicle: - First-aid kit, wildlife books, a pair of binoculars, cooler and fire extinguisher.

Contact us for a detailed itinerary or with any safari questions!

Trekking trips as extensions to safaris or stand-alone trips. Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya both have fantastic multi-day treks and climbs. From $1295 per person

Photos